A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Forer family of Switzerland.
Reg. 5126 · Swiss, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur à un croiss. d'or, surm d'une étoile du même; au 2 d'arg. à deux barres de gu. C.: un sapin de sin.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
Where the Forer Arms Were Recorded
Berne
Map of Switzerland showing where the Forer arms are recorded
The Forer arms were recorded in Berne, c. 1745.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Forer Family in Switzerland
The family name Forer has deep roots in the Swiss canton of Berne, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1745. The name is generally considered to be of occupational or topographical origin, likely derived from the Middle High German word "vor," which relates to someone who lived in front of a specific landmark or at the edge of a forest. In the eighteenth century, families in this region were often tied to the land through agriculture or specialized trades, and surnames were frequently adopted to distinguish individuals based on where they resided or the work they performed. As the Forer family established themselves in the Bernese landscape, they became part of the local community structure that defined Swiss social life during that era. By maintaining their presence in the region, the early Forers contributed to the long-standing history of the area, reflecting the patterns of migration and settlement common to families in central Europe during the mid-1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Forer
Derived from the Middle High German word for a forest or woods.
This name
ForerRefers to a person who lived near or worked within a forest or woodland area.
also spelled
Forrer
Vorer
Related arms
Louwensimilar arms
Possinger de Choborskisimilar arms
Forrervariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, 2002
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt Bern, 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
